Levan Is

Levan is a sedative hypnotic.

[1], [2], [3]

Indications of the levan Is

It is used to eliminate adult sleep disorders of various origins.

[4]

Release form

The release is carried out in tablets, in an amount of 10 pieces inside the blister pack. The box contains 2 such packages (tablets in a dose of 0.5 mg) or 1 plate (tablets in 1 and 2 mg).

[5], [6]

Pharmacodynamics

The drug is a partial selective agonist of the GABA complex of the A-terminal. Included in the category of benzodiazepines. Has a powerful hypnotic and anxiolytic effect, and also a mild muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant effect. Potentiates the properties of neuroleptics, narcotics, and in addition, hypnotic drugs, as well as ethanol.

Among the features of the hypnotic effect of Levan is the ability to prolong not only a segment of the slow wave sleep stage, but also a paradoxical one. The number of phases does not change. Thanks to this, the hypnotic effect of the drug acquires a noticeable physiological aspect.

[7], [8], [9], [10]

Pharmacokinetics

The medicine is quickly absorbed, being inside the gastrointestinal tract. The level of bioavailability is approximately 80%, and the half-life is about 10-14 hours (the drug is classified as a medication with an average duration of therapeutic effect).

Excretion occurs with the help of biliary and renal pathways - in the form of an active metabolite: a 3-hydroxy derivative.

[11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16]

Dosing and administration

The medication is taken orally, swallowing the whole tablet without chewing. The reception is done once a day - for 0,5-1 hour before bedtime.

The size of a single dose is 0.5-2 mg (a more accurate dose is selected individually, starting with a minimum allowable dose of 0.5 mg, and increasing it until the required drug exposure). During the day, it is allowed to take no more than 2 mg of the drug that is consumed at a time.

Elderly, as well as weakened people and those with organic cerebrospinal lesions, problems with hepatic / renal activity, lung failure and pulmonary diseases, which are of chronic obstructive nature, it is necessary to use a one-time dose of drugs equal to 0.5-1 mg.

The duration of the course is selected by the treating doctor, which takes into account the patient's condition and the course of the pathology. The therapeutic course for the elimination of insomnia abnormal character is 3-5 days, and when eliminating insomnia of a transient type, it takes 14-30 days. Therapeutic course can not be more than 30 days.

[21], [22], [23], [24]

Use of the levan Is during pregnancy

It is forbidden to prescribe Levan for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.

Contraindications

The main contraindications:

• the presence of intolerance with regard to drug components;
• severe respiratory failure, which is chronic;
• presence of apnea;
• liver failure in the severe stage;
• cerebellar, as well as spinocerebellar ataxia;
• acute intoxication with hypnotics, psychotropic or analgesic agents (neuroleptics, and in addition antidepressants and lithium), as well as alcoholic beverages;
• myasthenia gravis in a severe degree;
• acute attacks of glaucoma (in its narrow-angle form).

Side effects of the levan Is

When using drugs in the recommended therapeutic portions of development, there were no significant negative symptoms. But it is necessary to take into account such side effects that arise with the use of sedative and hypnotic medicines: muscle relaxation together with hypersedition, and also weak disorders of psychomotor skills and cognitive activity, an increase in IOP values and signs of allergy.

In the morning, in the first few days of drug use, there may be a feeling of drowsiness, often disappearing after 2-3 days of therapy. The degree of severity, as well as the frequency of development of negative symptoms, depend on the size of the portion of the drug.

If a patient exhibits severe negative symptoms, it is necessary to reduce the size of the dosage or to cancel the use of the medicine.

[17], [18], [19], [20]

Overdose

Due to intoxication, there may be a feeling of lethargy and drowsiness, ataxia in mild form, nausea with dizziness and signs of allergy.

To eliminate the violations, you need to stop using drugs and perform gastric lavage. If necessary, the administration of medications that affect the CAS, as well as stimulants of the central nervous system and flumazenil (inpatient) is prescribed. The procedure of hemodialysis will be ineffective. Symptomatic measures are also taken.

Interactions with other drugs

When using the drug, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, because this can lead to suppression of respiratory processes and psychomotor inhibition.

It is forbidden to combine medication with neuroleptics of the phenothiazine series, in connection with the fact that this enhances the overwhelming effect on the respiratory function.

It must be taken into account that cimetidine can increase the level of benzodiazepines by 50% (except for the elements of oxazepam, and also lorazepam) inside the blood, slowing the metabolic processes, and the clearance of these substances.

Caffeine in large portions (also contained in beverages) is able to reduce the medicinal effect of the drug.

[25], [26], [27], [28]

Storage conditions

Levan should be kept in a place that is not accessible to children. The temperature is within 25 ° C.

[29], [30], [31], [32]

Shelf life

Levan can be used for 3 consecutive years from the date of release of the therapeutic agent.

[33], [34], [35]

Application for children

The drug is contraindicated for use in children.

[36]

Analogues

Analogues of the medication are preparations Fulzed, Radedorm and Estazolam.

[37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42]

Reviews

Levan is getting fairly good reviews about his sleeping pills. The majority of patients write about the presence of a good effect of taking drugs, although there are also reviews, which indicate that in small dosages the drug does not have the necessary effect. In general, most customers note the absence of side effects and good medication effectiveness.

It should also be added that the drug can be addictive, because of which its small doses will cease to have an effect, so taking it for a long time is not recommended.